In a troubling incident that has drawn international attention, a Kuwaiti activist from the Global Sumud Flotilla, Mohammad Jamal, recounted the harrowing experience faced by him and fellow activists after their vessel was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters while en route to Gaza. The activists, who were part of a humanitarian mission, faced severe mistreatment and were subjected to harsh conditions, raising concerns about human rights violations and the treatment of detainees by Israeli authorities.
On Saturday afternoon, a plane carrying 137 activists from the flotilla landed at Istanbul Airport, marking the end of their ordeal in Israeli custody. The group included 36 Turkish nationals, 23 Malaysian citizens, and individuals from various other countries, all of whom were part of the humanitarian effort to deliver aid to Gaza. The flotilla, aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza and providing essential supplies, was attacked by Israeli forces, leading to the detention of the activists and the seizure of their vessel.
According to Mohammad Jamal, the assault on their boat began at approximately 6 a.m., when around 20 Israeli soldiers boarded the vessel. The activists were forcibly detained and subjected to grueling conditions during their transfer to the port of Ashdod in Israel. “We were kept under the sun for 12 hours, from the place we got captured to the port of Ashdod, where we got treated really badly,” Jamal told Anadolu Agency. He described a lack of basic necessities during this period, stating, “Throughout the whole time, we did not have any food, and we were only allowed to use water and go to the toilet.” The treatment at Ashdod port was particularly harsh, with Jamal noting that the Israeli police subjected the detainees to verbal abuse and, in some cases, physical violence. “Some of the people got beaten, but a lot of swear words,” he said, highlighting the aggressive demeanor of the authorities.
Jamal attributed the relatively restrained behavior of the Israeli forces, compared to what might have been their initial intentions, to international pressure and global attention on the incident. “It seems that they were under a lot of pressure from the world, so the people in the world made them behave better than what they were planning to behave, because they had so much rage and anger against us that they couldn’t do anything because of the people,” he explained. He emphasized the role of global activism and media coverage in protecting the detainees, stating, “The people protected us by demonstrating and keeping their eyes on us.” This international scrutiny, he suggested, likely prevented even worse treatment.
The conditions of detention following their arrest were equally dire. Jamal described being held for three days in a facility where access to basic necessities was severely restricted. “We were three days in the jail without any water. There was only the water for washing. They told us just drink the same water you wash from,” he recounted. The lack of proper sanitation was compounded by the absence of showers and inadequate food provisions. “The food was very scarce,” Jamal noted, adding that medical care was nonexistent, even for those with serious health conditions. “No doctor. Some people had cardiac medicine, epilepsy medicine. They did not take their medicine,” he said, underscoring the neglect faced by the detainees.
Israeli authorities also confiscated the activists’ personal belongings, including phones and other possessions, returning only their passports. This act of confiscation further compounded the sense of violation experienced by the group, who were already grappling with the trauma of their detention and mistreatment.
Jamal repeatedly credited the global community for their role in mitigating the severity of the treatment they received. “Again, I want to emphasize that they were under a lot of pressure from you, from the media, from the people of Turkey, from the people in Europe, and all around the world,” he said. He expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by activists, media outlets, and concerned citizens worldwide, whose vigilance helped ensure the detainees’ safety. “So we thank everybody, and we need to keep our eyes on Gaza because they are doing what they cannot do to us in Gaza,” he urged, drawing attention to the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing blockade that the flotilla sought to challenge.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission was rooted in a desire to provide humanitarian aid and draw attention to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, who have faced a prolonged blockade that restricts access to essential goods and services. The attack on the flotilla and the subsequent treatment of the activists have sparked outrage among human rights advocates, who argue that the incident reflects a broader pattern of aggression toward those attempting to deliver aid to the region. The blockade, enforced by Israel, has been widely criticized for its impact on Gaza’s civilian population, exacerbating poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to medical care.
The return of the activists to Istanbul marks a moment of relief for their families and supporters, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who undertake such missions. The international community’s response to the incident has been one of condemnation, with calls for accountability and an end to the mistreatment of humanitarian workers. Turkish authorities, in particular, have been vocal in their support for the activists, many of whom are Turkish nationals, and have called for investigations into the actions of the Israeli forces.
Jamal’s account sheds light on the resilience of the activists, who, despite facing violence and dehumanizing conditions, remain committed to their cause. His plea to “keep our eyes on Gaza” resonates as a call to action for the global community to remain vigilant and engaged in advocating for justice and humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza. The incident has also reignited discussions about the legality of Israel’s actions in international waters and the broader implications for freedom of movement and humanitarian access.
As the activists recover from their ordeal, their experience serves as a powerful testament to the risks faced by those who challenge oppressive systems and the importance of international solidarity in protecting human rights. The Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission, though disrupted, has succeeded in drawing attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and the activists’ resolve remains unbroken. Moving forward, their story is likely to inspire continued activism and advocacy, as well as renewed calls for accountability and justice on the global stage.
